Charles Nelson (wide receiver)
Charles Nelson (born October 28, 1995) is a gridiron football wide receiver and return specialist for the Edmonton Elks of the CFL. He played college football at Oregon, where he earned all-conference honors as a return specialist in 2014 and 2015.[1][2]
| No. 4 Edmonton Elks | |
 Nelson during a Blue Bombers game in 2021. | |
| Born: | October 28, 1995 Daytona Beach, Florida |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | WR/RS |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Weight | 169 lb (77 kg) |
| College | Oregon |
| High school | Seabreeze (FL) |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2018–2021 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| 2022–Present | Edmonton Elks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
| Punt Returns | 56 |
| Punt Return Yards | 503 |
| Kick Returns | 30 |
| Kick Return Yards | 606 |
| Total Return TD | 0 |
| |
College career
At Oregon, Nelson was one of the program's most versatile players, splitting time at wide receiver, cornerback, and returning kicks and punts.[3][4]
Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2018 NFL Draft, Nelson had tryouts with the Kansas City Chiefs and Indianapolis Colts but did not sign with them.[5]
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Nelson signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent on May 25, 2018, and retired a week later. He returned to the Blue Bombers in September, joining their practice roster for five games before playing in the season finale against Edmonton. Nelson played in four games in 2019 before suffering a season-ending foot injury. He still earned his first Grey Cup when Winnipeg won the 107th Grey Cup.[6]
Nelson signed a two-year contract extension with the Blue Bombers in 2021.[7] Nelson was moved to the practice roster, and eventually released at the end of the season.
Edmonton Elks
On February 5, 2022, the Edmonton Elks announced the signing of Nelson.[8]
References
- "2014 Pac-12 football All-Conference team announced". Pac-12. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- "2015 Pac-12 football all-Conference team announced". Pac-12. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- "It's competition that gets Oregon's Charles Nelson cooking". USA Today. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- "Oregon's Charles Nelson owes himself, and the world, a pick-six". NBC Sports. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- "Big things could come from small package". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- "'Expect great things' from Nelson". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- "Blue Bombers re-sign pending free agent receiver/returner Charles Nelson". Winnipeg Blue Bombers. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- "Transaction | Elks extend Walker". Edmonton Elks. February 5, 2022.